“And it is due to remain closed until January 20. The 69 bus services are being diverted down High Street West and then via Primrose Lane and those wanting to use the 61 service are having to take a shuttle bus between Henry Street and Whitfield where the service is running from, for the duration of the works.

“Passengers I spoke with on the Monday are already saying services are running significantly late.”

He added: “Water companies usually provide funding in advance of their works to enable public transport providers to put on additional services to compensate for the disruption.

“On this occasion United Utilities has decided against not to do this, this is very disappointing “

United Utilities Polly Rourke however denied the company had been complacent.

“We’re really sorry about the disruption we’re causing,” she said.

“We need to repair a sewer pipe six metres below the road surface which caused internal flooding to a property last year. We don’t routinely provide funding for bus services during road works, but in this case we have agreed to pay for an extra bus to help maintain one of the services in Victoria Street.

“Despite this there are still bound to be delays for all road users because we’ve had no option but to close the road for safety reasons.

“Our engineers will be working through the weekend to try to return the road to normal as quickly as possible. Sewer flooding is horrible and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If possible, we will install an access chamber so if we ever need to get access to the sewer again it will be much easier and won’t involve a full road closure.”